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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Divine assistance is necessary for the transition into the religious life

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.William James documented in 'The Varieties of Religious Experience' that self-directed gradual religious conversion occurs without subjects reporting divine intervention.
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Empirical accounts of religious transformation through contemplative practice, as in Theravada Buddhism, demonstrate transitions into religious life achieved through disciplined human effort alone.
      ?

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    • 3.A necessary condition must be present in all cases, so one confirmed counterexample of unaided religious transition falsifies the claim of necessity.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Pelagius argued that humans possess sufficient natural capacity for moral reform without requiring supernatural grace to initiate it.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If divine assistance were necessary for even the first movement toward repentance, humans would bear no meaningful moral responsibility for remaining irreligious.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.The transition into the religious life requires genuine repentance
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.God is genuinely 'other' than the human self and not identifiable with it
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.God's assistance is necessary even for the repentance that initiates the transition
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.